Mario Balotelli insists he has finally grown up - although he is not about to
get married or stop visiting strip clubs.

The Italian striker, who joined Manchester City for £24 million from Inter Milan at the start of last season, has made a big impact in England. The 21 year-old continues to make headlines off the field but insists he is making more of an effort on the training ground.

"This year I have already scored 14 goals and a pair of penalties, and the intensity and effort I put into training this year, are not comparable to last season," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I have grown up, I have understood certain things."

The latest controversy saw Balotelli pictured leaving a Liverpool strip club on Friday night, less than 48 hours before City's Premier League clash with Bolton Wanderers and only two days after he was dropped from the Italian national side.

Balotelli was selected for the game but took only one of his nine opportunities in the 2-0 win.